Tour of California blasts through Marin Sunday for pro cycling race's final stage

In reverse of previous years when it went north to south, the Tour of California professional stage cycling race finishes its eight-day run Sunday starting in San Francisco and continuing through Marin and Sonoma counties before ending in Santa Rosa.

"The pros are going to be racing on some of the most popular cycling routes Marin has to offer," said Alison Tetrick, a Mill Valley-based pro cyclist who will be competing in the women's Tour of California time trial event on Friday in San Jose.

The country's biggest cycling race started in Escondido on May 12 with 128 riders, including Tour de France champion Andy Schleck and Tour de France Best Young Rider award winner Tejay van Garderen.

Sixteen teams, with eight riders each, began the race in Southern California, but many have been forced to drop out from exhaustion, heat or injury. Each day, the cyclists compete in a stage of the race, typically covering 80 to 125 miles, often with significant climbs, such as Mount Diablo in the East Bay on Saturday. Times for each stage are tallied and the fastest overall rider is awarded the yellow winner's jersey. Additional awards are granted for the best climber, the best sprinter and the best young rider.

The last day of racing begins at 8:15 a.m. Sunday on the Marina Green in San Francisco. The cyclists will ride across the Golden Gate Bridge and along Highway 101 in the northbound lanes before exiting onto Highway 1 in Mill Valley. Unlike in previous years, the race will not go through Sausalito, but will stay on 101. The cyclists are expected to reach Mill Valley at about 8:30 a.m.

They will ride up Highway 1 and arrive between 9:30 and 9:55 a.m. in Point Reyes Station, which will be a popular place to watch. The race continues on Highway 1 until Valley Ford in Sonoma County, at which point the riders head toward Santa Rosa by way of Occidental Road. In Santa Rosa, the race concludes with two laps around the downtown before finishing at Third Street and Santa Rosa Avenue around 11:30 a.m.

Road closures will be on a rolling basis, meaning that roads on the route will close as the riders approach and reopen after they pass, said Officer Andrew Barclay of the California Highway Patrol. The most substantial traffic delays will come as the cyclists ride across the bridge and up Waldo Grade, Barclay said. Both northbound and southbound traffic will be stopped on the Golden Gate Bridge, for safety reasons, and northbound lanes will remain closed until the riders exit the highway.

Sunday will also mark the opening of the Mountain Play on Mount Tamalpais at 2 p.m., and the annual running of the Bay to Breakers across San Francisco starts at 7 a.m.

"There is definitely a lot going on that day so I would anticipate lots of traffic delays in the southern part of the county, as well as in West Marin along the coast," Barclay said.

Thousands of spectators are expected for the race's final day. Both the start in San Francisco and the finish in Santa Rosa will feature mini-festivals. The pedestrian walkway on the Golden Gate Bridge will be open for spectators to watch the cyclists ride across the famous span. Many fans also plan to line the popular climbs along Highway 1 out of Muir Beach, where it is easier to see the riders as they slow down going uphill and the view will be "spectacular," Tetrick said.

Parking along the course is expected to be crowded and fill early. Spectators are encouraged to bike to watch the event. "The best thing to do is make a day out of it," Tetrick said.

Point Reyes Station will host a sprint point, a spot where riders can earn points toward winning the best sprinter jersey. It's expected to be a popular spot to watch and to enjoy the West Marin scenery.

"In Marin, on Sunday, the best place to watch is on the climb from Mill Valley over to the coast or up from Muir Beach or the sprint point in Point Reyes Station," said Matt Adams, president of Mike's Bikes, which will also be hosting a group ride to bike and watch the event, leaving from the company's shop in Sausalito at 6:30 a.m.

 What: The final stage of the weeklong pro cycling stage race on Sunday. When: The race leaves Marina Green in San Francisco at 8:15 a.m., is expected at the Highway 1 junction with Highway 101 at 8:30 a.m. and in Point Reyes Station between 9:30 and 9:55 a.m. Where: Watch along Highway 1, at the start in San Francisco or finish in Santa Rosa, or at the sprint point in Point Reyes Station. On the Web: www.amgentourofcalifornia.com